Hitter Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups - Nick Mariano's Picks After The Draft

March 24, 2026

Nick's hitter fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups, for all positions. His top free agent hitters, and waiver wire sleepers, for both shallow and deeper leagues.

The beginning of the 2026 major league season is just around the corner, which means our focus is shifting from draft day to the precious waiver wire. Those who have already drafted are surely aware of the categories or positions that could use reinforcing, or perhaps you've filled up some IL/NA slots and now have a free space to aim for the stars. We'll be sure to address both types of adds here.

We'll explore Yahoo! fantasy leagues for offensive options who can help us out. We'll quickly go through shallower plays in the 40-60% rostered band, but the primary focus will come below 40%. The only way to "lose" the first week of fantasy baseball is not to play the waiver game.

You'll have to weigh up who you are willing to drop, but not churning those last couple of roster slots will bar you from a chance at this year's waiver gold. Perhaps all you'll find is a flash in the pan, yet even those can be flipped for a tidy profit if you move effectively! Let's get down to it.

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Hitter Waiver Wire Pickups (40-60% rostered)

Kevin McGonigle (DET, SS, 57% rostered) - The top Tigers prospect boasts a league-winning bat with elite discipline, the power to barrel up mistakes even at 21 years old, and double-digit-steal speed. It’ll be a last-minute decision whether Detroit opens with him in the bigs, but acting late is a losing proposition for many.

Sal Stewart (CIN, 1B, 59%) - The toolsy 22-year-old popped five home runs in 55 MLB at-bats last year after 20 HR/17 SB/.309 AVG/.907 OPS in 118 minor-league games. Will reportedly bat cleanup in hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park, making him a stellar target.

Over the last two days, since Eugenio Suárez returned from the WBC, Sal Stewart has been hitting fourth (behind Elly) with Suárez batting fifth.

Should we read anything into that?

Terry Francona said, “We’ll see. I reserve the right to always make a lineup out that day. The…

— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) March 22, 2026

Daylen Lile (WAS, OF, 51%) - Last season’s second-half surge (.333 AVG, .956 OPS) was built on elite line drives and bullying right-handed pitching. Can he evolve beyond a platoon bat?

Ramon Laureano (SD, OF, 49%) - The vet posted 12 HRs with 73 R+RBI and a .300 average in 53 contests between July and August. He could be a steady contributor early while you search for greater upside on the waiver wire.

Max Muncy (LAD, 3B, 43%) - Looked like a star after addressing astigmatism, hitting 19 HRs with 106 R+RBI and a .268/.406/.563 slash line in 72 games. Most view him as a known commodity who hurts your average and can’t stay healthy, but that may not be so.

Royce Lewis (MIN, 3B, 43%) - You’re hoping that his usual power joins the late speed shown in 2025, when he had nine steals in September. That monthly speed split from the hot corner is rare. We know that health has been a massive obstacle, but you’re chasing a high reward.

Hitter Waiver Wire Pickups (10-40% rostered)

Samuel Basallo (BAL, C, 39%) - Basallo has a howitzer for an arm, but will usually be Baltimore’s designated hitter as long as Adley Rutschman is available. His contact rates may take a while to mature against MLB-caliber pitching, but the power is undeniable (23 HRs in 76 Triple-A games last year).

Francisco Alvarez (NYM, C, 30%) -  Uninspiring overall 2025 line belies the .276/.360/.561 line supplied in final 41 games following a swing reset at Triple-A. He was also dealing with a torn thumb ligament and fractured pinky, yet still able to perform far better against fastballs than his old form.

Carter Jensen (KC, C, 24%) - Jensen boasts serious thump, a plus eye, and sneaky wheels from the C slot. At 21, he crushed 14 HRs with a .288/.404/.647 slash in just 43 Triple-A tilts before hitting .300 with three homers in 60 MLB ABs.

Willi Castro (COL, 2B/3B/OF, 21%) - Castro can put hot streaks together and could be a fun streamer when the Rockies are at Coors. The multi-position eligibility helps those in shallower formats, and modest power/speed tools can patch short-term holes.

Justin Crawford (PHI, OF, 20%) - The speedy rookie should step into center field and look to carry on his father’s legacy (Carl Crawford) after posting a .334 average and 46 steals across 112 Triple-A contests in ‘25. His approximate 60% ground-ball rate harkens to Christian Yelich’s first three years. Does 6-8 HRs, 30 SBs, and a plus average catch your eye?

"What's it feel like to run like that?"
"I have no idea."

Justin Crawford (@Phillies No. 3 prospect) laces one 106.1 mph down the line in right and glides into third for a triple off reigning Cy Young award winner Tarik Skubal. pic.twitter.com/rNWk3uLJwM

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 20, 2026

Carson Benge (NYM, OF, 18%) - Benge has made the Opening Day roster after an incredible spring and Mike Tauchman’s knee injury. He is a contact machine with a history of strong walk rates and few whiffs, ramping up to 15 HRs and 22 SBs in 116 minor-league games last year. It’s a good team environment and a chance for five-category contributions.

Jordan Lawlar (ARI, 3B/MI, 15%) - Arizona (and fantasy managers) have been waiting for Lawlar to translate his minor-league production into MLB success. Is his hot spring (4 HRs, 1 SB, 1.067 OPS) enough to intrigue you? He hit .313 with 11 HRs and 20 SBs in just 63 Triple-A games between injuries last season. What a ceiling, especially at Chase Field!

Chase DeLauter (CLE, OF, 15%) - Durability has plagued the top prospect after a serious collegiate foot injury, with core muscle surgery and a hamate issue also on the ledger. The 6-foot-3 outfielder still owns a .302 average with 20 HRs and 40 doubles across 504 ABs on the farm, which includes 45 walks to 47 Ks between Double and Triple-A.

And while we try not to lean on spring stats too much, someone with a smaller sample size due to injury has it carry a bit more weight. He smashed a pair of homers on Monday night and now holds a 1.373 OPS in 37 at-bats. Spicy!

DOUBLE DONG DAY FOR CHASE DELAUTERpic.twitter.com/LrKd833qjG

— Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) March 24, 2026

Hitter Waiver Wire Pickups (Under 10% rostered)

Coby Mayo (BAL, 1B, 8%) - He’s been unable to put it together in the majors, and a full-time role has not materialized as a result. A great spring (1.039 OPS) and opportunity at third base with Jordan Westburg hurt offer hope. Keep an eye on early contact and chase rates.

Cam Smith (HOU, OF, 6%) - Smith faded in the second half during his first full professional season after being fast-tracked. He needed to prove himself this offseason and did so by shortening up his swing with the coaching staff.

Few players boast both elite bat and foot speed. If either hits the next gear, then we’re happy. If both, then we’re looking at a top-50 player. Maybe more?

Owen Caissie (MIA, OF, 5%) - His big power may be needed in the lineup even more after Kyle Stowers’ hamstring injury. Perhaps this will afford him more opportunities to prove himself against southpaws and become an everyday threat.

Max Muncy (ATH, 2B/3B/SS, 4%) - Scoop both of them and have fun with your team name! He only hit .214 (.203 xBA) with far too many whiffs, poor exit velocities, and even a -7 Outs Above Average fielder rate in a 63-game sample last season.

He was a first-round pick of the A’s in the 2021 Draft and needs to prove that his big swing and be consistent enough for MLB pitching. Few had better springs (5 HRs, 1.290 OPS), and Sutter Health Park had the second-highest Statcast Park Factor (108) last year. It’s not quite Coors (115), but it needs to be respected when taking fliers.

Luisangel Acuna (CHW, 2B, 3%) - He’ll quickly gain OF eligibility as the ChiSox’s centerfielder with a chance to steal 40-50 bases if given 500 or more plate appearances. Can he tap into elevated raw power to maximize the few fly balls produced, or will he simply be an SB specialist?

Jake McCarthy (COL, OF, 2%) - As we just stated, Coors still reigns supreme for offensive firepower. It was only two seasons ago when McCarthy hit .285 with eight homers and 25 steals for Arizona, and now he may lead off for Colorado. That kind of volume with his speed could get fun!

T.J. Rumfield (COL, 1B, 1%) - Cheap Rockies may not get you anywhere, but it costs nothing to find out if there’s lightning in a bottle. Blaine Crim has an oblique strain, which leaves us with Rumfield, who turns 26 in May.

As an “old rookie,” Rumfield does well to get his bat on the ball and has routinely posted walk rates north of 10% across the minors, but lacks high-end power despite the 6-foot-5 frame. Having said that, he did crush a quartet of longballs in 50 spring ABs with an .882 OPS and one strikeout. Could a plus average and 25 HRs await deep-leaguers?

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